obie:

It will be interesting to see what AV123 actually delivers, since I have to guess that what Mark is hinting at is "LEO", which is something developed by D2 Audio as part of the suite of options for their amplifiers, not some marvelous invention of his own. It is based on using the processor inside the digital amp module in conjunction with feedback from the speakers both directly (by measuring how they load the amp) and with a microphone for parameters to set the room EQ stuff. Definately NOT the same as R-DES or using a PC to assemble the data and then feed it back into the receiver or amplifier. Look here: http://www.d2audio.com/default.aspx?c=16&t=Intelligence&k=

Interesting use of an acronym for the Behringer thing. When I see "BFD" I associate it with some other phrasing that if used here might be me banned by the Outlaws.

Mark is a very savy marketer as well as a designer, so a word of caution might be in order as to how he has used "EMOScapes" as branding for a feature in one product already in the market vs. what it might be in another that is still vapor ware. While you have to respect Mark's talents on both scores, it should be noted that he's gotten away with announcing products LONG in advance of their ship date, and then clamming up about what the actual features and prices are, let alone setting a delivery date and keeping it. When the Outlaws fell into that trap -- or should I say made their own bed and then had to lie in it -- with the constant delays for the 950, everyone was ALL over them, and rightfully so. Mark is, to some extent, doing the same thing with a number of products that are long overdue, or announced for delivery long into the future. Somehow he seems to have a Teflon coating, but I guess good for him.

The truth, as always, is in the final performance of the products for the pricing. The 990 seems, to all reports here and elsewhere, to be a great value and an outstanding performer. It's gonna get fun when (if?) the new low cost processor from AV123 makes it to market. It seems to lack some important features for my taste, but I'm sure it will sound good and find its own place in the market. The more interesting question will be to compare the Model 1070 (yes, I know it is a receiver and not separates) against the UL Twins. Seems to offer more features for the $$ and I bet that while partisans on both sides will claim that "theirs" sounds better, there will be little difference between them on that score. The much more extensive bass management, lip sync delay, ability to do software upgrades and more inputs on the 1070 are tilting me in that direction for the moment, but time will tell.